Frank g-



(No Model.)

PG. ALTMANN 8; F. POMMER.

SEWING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. ,30

WITNESSES 6W& Egg 27284; .21 ttorneys NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK G. ALTMANN AND FRED POMMER, OF EDINA, MISSOURI.

SEWING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 246,360, dated August 30, 1881.

Application filed May 27, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, FRANK G. ALTMANN and FRED POMMER, of Edina, in the county of Knox and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machines and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective view, showing our invention in position for operation. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is a view of the device detached. Fig. 4 is a view of the threading tube, and Fig. 5 is a horizontal transverse sectional view of the latter.

Corresponding parts iii-the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to a device for threading sewing-machine needles, which is to be so arranged as to form part of the machine; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the end of the machine-frame, having bearin gs for the foot-bar and for the verticallyreciprocating needle-bar B, to the lower end of which the needle O is attached in the usual manner. The frame A is provided with bearin gs E for a vertically-sliding rod, D, said bearings being preferably V-shaped in crosssection, for the purpose to be hereinafter set forth. Additional bearings for the said rod are provided in studs or brackets F G H, ar

ranged respectively near the upper and lower ends and near the center of the needle-bar, the bearings F G being equidistant and the central bearing, H, at a somewhat greater distance from the side of the needle-bar. The rod D is to be made of spring-steel. It follows that by raising or lowering the said rod the guide-brackets, which cause the said rod to assume abow or curved form, will cause its lower end to move away from or toward the needle, as the case maybe, in raising or lower- (No model.)

in g it, and also holds the threading-tube, when lowered, in contact with the needle.

The bracket F at the upper end of the needle-bar is provided with a bearing for a spring operated lever, I, having a tooth or catch, J,

engaging thumb-piece L of the rod D, which.

may thus be retained in a raised position when adjusted.

Bod D is provided at its upper end with a thumb-piece, L, by which it may be conveniently moved up and down in its bearings when released from the catch J.

The rod D carries atits lower end the threading-tube M, which consists of a cylinder, cone, or block of any suitable shape, having at its inner end a vertical groove, N, so placed and shaped as to be capable of embracing or holdin g the needle of the machine. The said block is also provided with a conical openingor aperture form ed transverselyin said block, its small opening terminating in the bottom, as it were, of the groove N.

It is, of course, essential to so adjust the several parts that when the rod D is lowered the small opening of the threading-tube shall coincide or register with the eye of the needle carried by the needle-bar.

In operation the machine is threaded in the usual manner, and, lastly, through the threadin g-tube, which guides the thread through the eye of the needle. The rod D is then raised, thus carrying the threading-tube away from the needle, so as to prevent it from interfering injuriously with the operation of the machine, it being evident that the sewing-thread passes continuously through the threading-tube. I

When the thread breaks, or when for any reason it is necessary to rethread the needle, the threading-tube may be lowered, as above described, so as to bring its small opening in conjunction or juxtaposition with the eye of the machine-needle.

Having thus described our invention, We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- In a sewing-machine, the com bination of the frame A, provided .with bearings E, and a needle-bar having brackets F G H, arranged, as described, relatively to said needle-bar, a

vertically-movable curved steel bar or rod, D, carrying at its lower end a needle-threader, and means for securing said bar or rod D in an elevated or raised position, substantially as and for the purposes herein shown and de scribed.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as ourown \vehztve hereto aflixed our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK G. ALTMANN. FRED POMMER. \Vitnesses:

EDW. A. GOETZE, JOHN DOW'NS. 

